Percat's Formula Ford offer for emerging karting talent
Nick Percat will offer an emerging young karter a helping hand a chance to climb the motorsport ladder, offering them a track-day in his championship-winning Formula Ford.
The Brad Jones Racing driver is currently restoring the Mygale SJ07A in which he won the Australian Formula Ford Championship back in 2009.
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Holding a special place in Australian motorsport history, Percat netted 12 wins and 20 podiums in the 23-race season in 2009, claiming the most poles and points scored by one driver in a season.
Tracking down the Mygale a decade after his historic win, the 32-year-old purchased the car late last year.
With the rebuild now in its final stages, Percat has revealed he is keen to give a young karter the opportunity to drive the open-wheeler.
“I want to have a skid in it first,” laughed the 2011 Bathurst 1000 winner.
“But through a little association with Sonic Racing, Melbourne Kart Centre, and myself I’ve been watching karters racing at the moment.
“I keep a close eye on how they are going whether it be in Nationals, Victorian Country Series or the state titles.
“There’s a couple of young guys I have in mind, so when the restoration is closer, I’ll contact them and hopefully get out to Winton and give them a day in it.”
Taking the Formula Ford back to the same ‘No Fear’ colours it featured in 2009, Percat said the car has done very little racing since his title-winning run, with a few state series outings and a handful of practice days.
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Keen to help young hopefuls progress into the category, the four-time Supercars race winner admitted he would not rule out leasing the chassis for a full-season but wouldn’t let it go to just anyone.
“It would need to be run through Sonic," Percat said.
“If someone wants to run it in a championship I would look at a good deal for the chassis and let them run it.
“I could pretty much give them the chassis for a near enough free lease so that takes a big chunk of the money needed a way to run in state titles.
Percat currently sits ninth in the championship
“It would be pretty cool to see someone in it; that’s the goal, to help the Melbourne Kart Centre and a young karter.
“I didn’t have huge success in karts myself but progressing through it, I can spot the right driving style and attitude of someone I think would be the right fit.”
The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to the Northern Territory for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown across June 18-20. Tickets are available here.
The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo, and will be broadcast live and free on Seven.
